These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
April 26, 2026
When I was recently searching the archives at the Roseau County Museum for the Olafson family of Ross, I came across a nice letter written in memory of one of the Olafson sons, who had been a dentist in Minneapolis. His name was Clarence Olafson and the letter was written by Jim Robertson. Clarence died in 1985 and is buried at Fort Snelling. Here is what Jim said:
I debated as to whether or not I should write this brief letter. First of all, we should remember people while they are still alive. All too often, we reflect on what we should have said to them after they have died. Secondly, I do not know any of the survivors, only having heard about them from the deceased. Thirdly, I wondered if I would be imposing upon the survivors, particularly since to them I am a total stranger. A recent experience, however, has prompted me to do this and I should like to explain.
Approximately two years ago I received a phone call from another stranger who turned out to be a relative. Her grandfather and my great-grandfather were brothers in Norway. She had spent the last fifteen years researching our family tree and asked for information about my folks and my family. In November, I received the publication she had compiled and it numbered over 550 pages. I was overwhelmed. Many persons had contributed to this and I discovered some roots about our family that I would never have learned from any other source. That is what encourages this. If I offend, please accept my sincere apologies. If not, please use it as you see fit. Thank you.
Dr. Clarence G. Olafson (CGO) was my friend. Oh, we never had occasion to socialize nor did we even see each other, except in his office, but he was my friend. Friends look out for you and pay special attention to you. That he did. Friends do not take advantage of you and usually have a smile. That he did. Friends go out of their way to help you, even when there is no expectation of return assistance. That he did. He was my friend.
I first met CGO when I had a toothache. I had been working at Sears for a few months, in late 1954, having migrated to the Cities from Northern Minnesota. I had neither a dentist nor any type of dental insurance. To say my income was meager was an understatement. (I believe my income then was $1.10 per hour.) I called two or three dentists, referred to me by my fellow workers, and all were much too busy to see me. At least one would have scheduled a visit for the following week, but I had a toothache now. Finally, the radio repair man (I worked in Sears Repair Service at the time), Roy Snyder, told me to “go see Olafson.” After explaining how to get to “1035 E. Franklin,” I was on my way.
When I arrived at the second floor of the above address, I walked into a waiting room that was wall-to-wall with people. They were of every size, shape, and form and also included more than one race. At least one was somewhat inebriated, but no matter. CGO would take care of him too. As I entered, about 4:00 P.M., CGO came out and greeted me and asked what I needed. I explained my toothache. He said, “I will see you today, but it will be a while as you can see from my waiting room.” He waved his hand in that direction. I thanked him and sat down to wait.
As I waited, I watched him work through his open office door. He operated two chairs, simultaneously, and only had one office assistant answering the phone and making appointments, etc. He worked quickly, exuded proficiency in his tasks, and had a smile for everyone. I felt I was in good hands. I also looked at the door lettering of his next door neighbor, Dr. Daniel A. McDonald. As I formed an acronym out of his name, DAM’D, I wondered about the fate of his patients. When Dr. McDonald came out of his office, I even wondered more as I guessed his age to be about 85-90 even back then.
CGO had me in the dental chair about 6:00 P.M. He x-rayed the tooth and gave me the news that it was abscessed and would have to come out. He switched me to the back chair and proceeded to extract this molar. He had difficulty. The top came off and he had to extract the two roots separately. When the last one came out, it had a large abscess attached. He showed me the x-ray, again, and stated that he wanted to x-ray my entire mouth and have me come back again for a consultation. When I returned the following week, he gave me the news. Every filling in my mouth, and I had many, had decay under it. The dentist in Baudette, MN, had not drilled out all the decay. My first reaction was financial, just how much would this cost? CGO told me that the cost was secondary. I needed to get my teeth fixed and as soon as possible. He told me that he received about $3.50, per filling, from welfare. He said to get my teeth fixed, he would charge me that price, and I could pay him when I had money available. I believe it also helped that I was from Northern Minnesota. He stated that he was from Roseau and still had friends there.
I’ll continue the story of Mr. Robertson’s dental adventure with Dr. Clarence Olafson next week.
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